From 1 to 14 August 2018, 11 young people from Ukraine participated in the UA2EU project. 

The objective of the Ukrainian youth's stay in the Netherlands and Belgium is focused on cultural exchange, knowledge about nature (conservation) and education. Through cross-border European cooperation with the Netherlands and Belgium, we want to offer a programme focused on meeting, exchange and social development. Our priority is that, as 'world citizens', we can and should all learn from each other.

For these young people, still raised in the Soviet regime, this was a special opportunity to get to know a different political and social fabric. It allowed them, with the experiences gained here, to develop further back in Ukraine. Of the 11 young people who participated, seven were originally born in eastern Ukraine. Many of them fled after the EuroMaidan in 2013-2014 because of the ongoing war with Russia. The UA2EU project was set up to give them new hope and confidence in the future of which they are a part, in addition to practical tools on knowledge of nature (conservation). By meeting young people of their own age, through cooperation and exchange, we hope these young people will (re)believe in the possibilities that exist, especially for them! 

You can see a video below and further on this website (separate page) some photos of the great time the young people had here with many thanks to: Province of Maastricht, Municipality of Riemst, Jeugdbond voor Natuur en Milieu (JNM), Natuurmonumenten, Centrum voor Natuur- en Milieu Educatie (CNME), parish of De Vier Evangelisten in Malberg, Dekenaat Maastricht, all the host families, Ferdi and Marian who took care of the programme in Amsterdam and everyone else who helped out!